What is a Shoulder Impingement?
Shoulder impingement is a common and often persistent cause of shoulder pain. It happens when repetitive motions—such as painting, swimming, or other overhead activities—cause friction inside the shoulder joint. This condition, also called swimmer’s shoulder, can make daily actions like reaching overhead or lifting objects feel painful and limiting.
Over time, this irritation may lead to inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons or the fluid-filled sacs (bursa) that cushion the joint. These conditions, known as tendinitis and bursitis, can progress to thinning or tearing of the rotator cuff if not treated promptly, sometimes requiring surgery. That is why early, effective care is so important.
Chiropractic care is a highly effective and non-invasive approach for treating shoulder pain. At Pillars of Wellness, our integrated team—including chiropractors and physical therapists—works with you to build a personalized treatment plan. This guide explains how to fix shoulder impingement, blending professional care with supportive at-home strategies to help you get back to what you love.
Understanding Shoulder Impingement
To understand shoulder impingement, it helps to know a bit about how your shoulder works. The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, with the rotator cuff tendons passing through a narrow space between the upper arm bone (humerus) and part of the shoulder bone called the acromion.
Impingement happens when this space becomes smaller, causing the acromion to rub or “impinge” on the rotator cuff tendons and the fluid-filled sac designed to protect them. This can occur when you raise your arm repeatedly—like during sports, exercise, or certain jobs.
Common causes include:
- Repetitive overhead activities such as tennis, swimming, or painting
- Poor posture, which affects the shoulder’s mechanics
- Direct injury or trauma
- Bone spurs on the acromion
How Chiropractic Care Can Help Shoulder Impingement
A chiropractor can play a crucial role in your recovery from shoulder impingement syndrome. Evidence shows that conservative, multimodal treatment—including chiropractic adjustments, manual therapy, strengthening exercises, and patient education—is effective for managing impingement and bringing back healthy shoulder movement (see study). Professionals in this field are trained to restore joint mechanics and reduce inflammation safely and gently.
Often, a chiropractor will partner with a physical therapist to provide a comprehensive physical therapy program as part of your care. Research supports non-surgical rehabilitation—rest, muscle and scapular strengthening, stretching, and gradual return to activity—as the first evidence-based approach for impingement syndrome (see research). This integrated pathway can often help you recover without surgery.
Key steps in an effective treatment plan:
1. Rest and Avoid Aggravating Activities
The first and most important step is to allow your shoulder time to heal. Continuing activities that hurt will prolong your injury. Be gentle with yourself; if a movement causes pain, stop or modify it.
Avoid or change activities such as:
- Reaching overhead or behind your back
- Lifting heavy objects
- Throwing motions
- Repetitive overhead movements, such as swimming
2. Apply Ice to Reduce Inflammation
Ice can be a reliable tool to calm inflammation and ease pain.
- Apply an ice pack for 15 minutes at a time.
- If you don’t have a pack, use ice wrapped in a thin cloth.
- Repeat up to three times daily.
This method helps reduce swelling and pain, all without medication.
3. Mobilize the Joint with Gentle Exercises
“Motion is lotion”—keeping your shoulder moving with gentle, pain-free exercises helps maintain mobility and supports healing.
Three helpful exercises:
- Standing Arm Swings: Stand tall, let your arms hang, and gently swing them forward, then return. Do this for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Shoulder Pass-Through: Using a broomstick held wider than shoulders, slowly raise your arm with the stick above your head as far as comfortable, then lower. Repeat five times.
- High-to-Low Rows: With a resistance band anchored above shoulder height, kneel, grab with the opposite hand, and pull down and back, gently squeezing your shoulder blades. Do three sets of ten reps per side.
4. Stretch to Improve Flexibility
Stretching—especially after warming up—keeps your shoulder flexible and less prone to injury.
- Cross-Arm Stretch: Bring one arm across your chest and gently pull with the other hand, holding for 30 seconds. Repeat five times per side.
- Doorway Stretch: With arms raised on either side of a doorway, step forward gently until you feel a stretch across your chest. Hold for 30 seconds, repeat 2–3 times.
- Child’s Pose: Kneel on a mat, stretch your arms forward, and rest your forehead down. Hold and breathe deeply, 3–5 times.
What to Do If Your Shoulder Pain Persists
If you do not notice improvement with these home strategies, please seek professional support. Studies confirm that early, integrated care—combining chiropractic and physical therapy—can significantly improve outcomes. A chiropractor or sports medicine doctor can offer a comprehensive evaluation and guidance.
At Pillars of Wellness in Burlington, our experienced chiropractor, Dr. Michael Peterman, is ready to help you with a personalized treatment plan. Our clinic also offers physical therapy, massage, and acupuncture, supporting you every step of the way.
Case Study From a Patient at Pillars of Wellness
Rosalina came to our clinic two months ago with shoulder pain; she did not know how it happened. After asking her more questions, it appeared that Rosalina was working out in her basement every day using weights and other props. Fortunately, the shoulder impingement didn’t end up being a tear.
She did a 4-week treatment plan receiving manual therapy, modalities using ultrasound and the TENS to reduce the inflammation. She also did some stretching. After her shoulder got more mobile, she started some strengthening exercises. While she felt much better following this treatment plan, so people may take longer or may need a different approach. Everyone is unique and heals differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chiropractor help with shoulder impingement?
Yes. Chiropractic care can be a safe, non-invasive option for shoulder impingement. Your treatment may include:
- Chiropractic adjustments to improve mobility and alignment
- Soft tissue therapy for muscle and tendon relaxation
- Personalized stretching and strengthening programs as part of physical therapy
Does insurance cover chiropractic care?
Most extended health benefit plans do cover chiropractic services. Please check with your provider, and our team can support you in navigating your coverage.
Can children be treated for shoulder issues?
Absolutely. Our chiropractors are skilled in pediatric care, ensuring children and adults receive the best support for their health.
Last updated, November 28th, 2025
Dr. Michael Peterman, Chiropractor
